Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-16
MIR. ATTERBURY'S DUEL.

the well-known firm OF Grinder, Graboe & After
bury, solicitors, OF LincOln's Inn. He was very
hard working, sedate and somewhat priggish young
man OF iye-and-thirty or thereabouts Mr. After
bury had nearly the whole work OF the firm to
attend TO, for Grinder was dead, and Graooe was
past seventy deaf and stupid, and hence IL came
70 pass that he very rarely indeed INDUCED him
SELF In holiday OF more than couple OF days
duration He now and then ran down TO Brigh-
ton Eastbourne, or Margate from Saturday 10
Monday, or spent day on the river at Richmond
or Hamptoa Court; but for years he had not been
nifty miles from London, and never In his life had
Mr.. Atterbury crossed the Channel.
Ii WAS sweltering morning in August, and Mr..
Atterbury sat In his sanctum opening his letters,
and wishing dey0utly that he could manage to let
the affairs OF Grinder, Grabbe & Atterbury look
after themselves for season, until the weather
had become somewhat more endurabe. One OF
the epistles before him bore a French stamp, and
Mr.. Atterbury wondered languidly who his foreign
correspondent could be. He opened and read. 1t
was from the eldest daughter OF certain rich old
gentleman, Mr.. ChequertOn, who had long been
one az m. most profit be clients OF the firm Miss
CheQuerton wrote In great distress; her father had
had = paralyttc stroke, and was not expected 10
recover. He was, however, conscious, and In no
immediate danger and he wished Mr.. Atterbury
10 come over at once II ne could possibly De spared
The letter was written from the Grand Hotel,
Dinard where, 10 appeared, the ChequertonS had
been staying for several weeks.
MI Atterbury twisted the letter round his fingers
as he thought the matter over. Here was certainly
an admirable opportunity for his holiday. lie had
no very clear idea where Dinar1 was or what sort
OF a country il situated in, but he remembered
that Tom Burton one OF his articled clerks, had
spent his summer holiday In Brittany, and deter
mined 20 ask his advice the subject. SO he rang
the bell and summoned that young man 10 his
presence.
.sWhat sort of place is Dinard?" he inquired.
a. THAT is very nice indeed" answered MIR.
Burton; cots 10 do, dancing, tennis, racing; lots
OF pretty mean very good society" he added,
with cough.
"Can you speak French?"
'Pretty well, sir. can order dinner and q
bed, md my way about the country, and all
"Bm; see there is boat from southampton
TO St. MalO tonight Get ready TO go with
me; we shall probably be away week OF ten
days."
So Mr. Burton left his superior's room delighted
at the prospect of an extra holiday, while Mr.
AtterbuTy also departed to prepare for his jour-
ney. He q bachelor, so his arrangements
were speedily made, and on the following morn
Ing he and Burton arrived at st. MalO, with a
dirty and uncomfortable feeling which ever ac-
companies the absence OF razorS and bath. They
crossed over TO DInard ana put up at the Grand
Hotel where they found Mr.. ChequertOn anxious
ly awaiting their arrival.
Mr.. Atterbury spent a sufficiently wearisome
afternoon. The old gentleman wanted 10 make
some important alterations in his will, but he was
fretful and undecided, and the soucor found the
greatest possible difficulty in preventing him from
wandering from the point, and In comprchendiug
what his wishes really were. By dinner time
relaxation, and consulted Mr.. Burton TO the
best means OF spending the evening. "You had
better come TO the Casino" suggested that young
man. al can easily get You introduction, and
It's not half bad fun. They are mostly English
people, so you Won't have any trouble about the
language" SO the pair dined JudiciOusly but we'll,
and went to the Casino after smoking a cigar on
the beach,
twas lively scene A fair band was playing
waltz, and twenty or more couples were dancing
with much spirit on an excellent floor. The room
opened out on large veranda, in the dark cor
ners OF which various couples could be indStincty
seen holding sweet converse under the moons IN
obtrUSiye rays. There was reIreShment bar
and a card room, and farther of could be heard
the click OF billiard balls There was a sort of
free-and-eaSy air about the whole entertainment
that struck Mr.. Atterbury as anOrding some
what welcome relief to the gruesOme respectable
fty OF the entertainments in his own neighborhood
OF BrXton.
AT you'd ike to dance I'll Introduce you to
lots OF people," said Mr.. Burton, whose manner
toward his superior had grown considerably more
familiar.
the habit OF being rather run after by the fair
Sex, quite as much, II is TO be feared, for the
sake OF his money and prospects as for his per-
sonal advantages Burton was as good as his
word, and the worthy solicitor was speedily pro-
vided with plenty OF partners, whom he found ex-
tremey easy TO get on with, and utterly devoid OF
Gifidence. He began to enjoy himself vastly and
paid several visits 10 the refreShment bar. "WhO
Is that very handsome tall woman In the corner"
he presently asked Tom Burton, 1.-THE one talking
10 the little FrenChman In uniform"
"Oh, that is Mrs. Titus Higginshaw, widow Of q
thing. believe she's very rich; all the French
men run after her like mad"
do you think you could introduce me?- asked
Mr.. Atter0ury, upon whom the widows fascina-
lions had produced great effect.
Il don't know her myself but / can easily get
some one else TO do II" replied Tom, and so the
ceremony or presentation was performed: the lit
tie French officer went OF in search OF q partner
and Mr.. AtterbUry was left 10 ingratfate himself
with the lovely American. Impressed though he
already was by her appearance, the worthy sole
itor was completely conquered by her manners
20 IN hd mod har-o
been everywhere, and TO have seen everything; to
be on the most intimate terms with half of the
distinguished perSOnageS in Europe and to know
very nearly as much about London as Mr.. After
bury did himself. AT the same time she affected
no airs OF superiority, listened attentiyely TO Mr.
Atterbury'S comments on men and things always
laughed In the right place, and even permitted
him TO firt with her In mild and harmless FASH
lon Mr. Atteroury was enraptured. He monopO-
lied her society for the evening IN spite OF the
murderous scowlS OF the French officer and other
Iruculent-looking foreigners, and went to bed TO
dream ecStaticaIly OF winning at once the relict
and the millions Of the defuncJ Higglnshaw
fortnight passed, and Mr.. Atterbury showed
no signs or moving He hadl long since set IL order
the affairs OF Mr.. Chequerton, and one or two mes
SageS had already reached him from London suy-
Atterbury's feelings We're too much for him He
Was, IN TACT. desperately In love with the fair
widow, and was determined not TO leave Dinard
without putting Ills late 10 the touch. She on her
part, by no means discouraged his devotion, but
with the ingenuity Of her SEX cOntr1yed that one
day he should be buoyed up with the most san
guine hopes and another cast into the depths of
despair Nevertheless he was decidedly the most
favored OF her many SuitOrs, and the desperate hts
We're or comparatively rare occurrence. Mr. Tom
Burton, naturally enough, took the deepest inter.
est IN his patrons love an air. Mr. Atterbury con-
nded 10 him every detail; andkDtured into his
sympaLhiZIng ear his hopes a fears. his sue
Ce>sss ana his failures. 1OIIu6 not seem in the
least bored; in fact, his serY came In very use
1ul for Mr.. Atterbury empSyET him 10 look after
Mis- Hlgginshaw Whenever II himself was absent.
and 10 Keep at safe distauCe any insidious and
fascinating Frenchman who appeared 10 have de-
signs upon he. hand. Tom was a clever yonncr
man and very discreet. several elderly sirens en-.
GeayOred 10 lure aim 10 play baccaraI with them
but he maniully wlthStOOd the temptation and
devoted himself 10 advancing hts superior's suit
AS matter OF fact, he had played baccarat at d.
nard before, and Old not Ind II profitable specu-
latiOl.
And so matters went on smoothly enough until
lheTe appeared on the scene certain Maruuis de
Rouik, VINO drove tandem, talked very big and
cred With gorgeous orders. He was a tall man
this marquis, with black hair shining teeth a
magnificent InCStache, and an Obtrusive fnpertal
whereas IL must De confessed that Mr. Atterbury
was Oh small stature and Insignificant appear
ance, wore double eye-glass, and was getting a
tri1e bald The solicitor took a profound dislike
10 ID. dc RoClz from the moment he set ewes upon
hin, aud before long he discovered that his In
stlnct lad been only too correct. For the mar
gus had scarcely arrived 10 the hotel before he
8ot introduced 10 Mrs. Hlgglnshaw and the cere-
lnony mad barely been accomplished before he be-
gan 10 make nerce love TO her utterly regardless of
Inc prior Claims Of NJ. AtterDury or OF any other
TSal whatsoever. The widow apparently looke ed